NBC is bringing in the holiday spirit with the stop-motion hourlong animated special Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas, set to air Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. Based on the popular film “Elf”, the special – animated by stop-motion animators at Screen Novelties, Inc. – will star four-time Emmy Award winner Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) as Buddy.

Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas blends the look and feel of the stop-motion animated Christmas specials of the past with the sharp sensibility of the modern-day classic holiday film. In the special, Santa narrates the story of Buddy’s travels to New York City to meet the father he never knew he had. Along the way his unrelenting cheer transforms the lives of everyone he meets and opens his father’s eyes to the magic of Christmas.

“Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas” is produced by Warner Bros. Animation, directed by Mark Caballero and Seamus Walsh, teleplay by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin and Aaron Horvath & Michael Jelenic. Score by Matthew Sklar and Christopher Guardino. Original songs from “Elf: The Musical” — music by Matthew Sklar and lyrics by Chad Beguelin. Based on the New Line Cinema theatrical motion picture “Elf,” written by David Berenbaum, and the Broadway musical “Elf,” originally produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures in association with Unique Features.